Solutions of homopolymers of certain optically active alpha-amino acids in polychloro- and polyfluoro-acetic acids



Patented Sept. 30, 1952 sow'rions or HOMOPOLYMERS or on TAIN OPTIOALLY ACTIVE ALPHA AM'INo' I ACIDS IN POLYCHLOROH FLUOR O-ACETIC ACIDS Y'AND row n, 1

Ralph Miegel, .E-lsmere, De l., assignor-to du Pontde Nemours and Company, Wflmrngton,-Del.,acorporation of Delaware 3 No ni-a m Application November 24,1950;

Serial No. 197,514

' iaolaims. (Cl. 260-312) This invention relates to optically active linear alpha-amino acid homopolyamides and, more particularly, to new and useful fluid compositions of these homopolyamides.

Certain of the low molecular weight alphaamino acid polyamides previously known in the art have variously been reported as soluble in selected acids. For instance, Curtius, J. prakt. Chem., 125, 211-302 (1930), reports that DL- leucine and DL-valine homopolyamides are soluble, respectively, in warm acetic and warm concentrated hydrochloric acids. Wesseley and Sigmund, Z. physiol. Chem. 159, 102-119 (1926) report that sarcosine homopolyamide is rather difficultly soluble in acetic acid. Tullock U. S. Patent 2,516,162 discloses halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform as solvents forsynthetic copolyamides of certain alpha-amino acids. Tullock U. S. Patent 2,517,610 discloses the use of alicyclic ketones as solvents for these copolyamides. Tullock U. S. Ser. No. 74,2 13 discloses formic acid as a solvent for a limited group-of synthetic alpha-amino acid polyamides. Carothers 'U. S. Patent 2,130,948 discloses monochloroacetic acid as a solvent for synthetic linear polyamides formed from diamines and dibasic acids.

Recently it .has been discovered that the optically active alpha-amino acid fhomopolyamides are outstanding in many respects such as their surprising toughness, strength and desirable film- .and fiber-forming characteristics. .as described in greater detail in the copending applicationloi MacDonald Ser. No. 108,237, 'fildAugustZ, 1949. A continuation in part of said application was filed December 28, 1950, as Serial No. 203,213. Certain of these optically active homopolyamides are insoluble in all of the common organic solvents including those which aresolvents for most of the other alpha-amino acid homoand copolyamides. More specifically, it has been found that the optically active, straight-chain, alphaamino acid homopolyamides are insoluble in, among other things, halogenated hydrocarbons, e. g., chloroform, chlorobenzene aromatic hydrocarbons, e. g., benzene; alicyclic iketonea e g., cyclohexanone; phenols, e. g., rm-cresol; and formic and monochloroacetic acids.

This invention has as anobject the preparation of solutions of optically active, straightchain, alpha-amino,acid homopolyamides. Other objects will appearhereinafter.

These objects are accomplished :by the present invention of solutionsof. one or T-more optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid *homopolyamides in aceticlac'icls, having on the alpha carbon from 2 to 3 atom hal ogen' 'o fatomic number s a whe e n"? em. .nins valence of the alpha carbon not sa s fied by said ha e atoms o by the s aslesar xr i sat efied by hydrogen; g'lfhes solutionsare particulary u l for he nresaratian, a? film fl n fibers from the polyamides; v v V Th m m y charaaie c of th e al h amino acid polyami'desare quite critical and com-- pletely unpredictabler :ln, the first place, the p ysical prop s .101" hi nera lassb pt cally active al ha-amino ac i me ya ds are surprising in that the poiyamidesareso much tougher, so much stronger, so readily orientable in contrast to the other .alpha arnino ac-id polyainides known in the art. In fact, the strongest and 'toughest'films :thus far obtainedin the amino acid polyamide fieldliaveibeen those of the opti-- callyactive alphar-amino. acid homopolyamides.

Certain of these-optically active homopolyamides whose unitsiare' branched chain'- in nature, e. g., poly-D-or L-leucine, exhibit solubilities in certain of the solvents preyiously; found for the optically inactive alpha-amino acid polyamides. Specifically poly-L-leucine is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, e.- ,g., benzene, preferably in the presence of a'small; amount of a viscosity depressant of energyldensity greater than 95, e, g.,

chloral, as described in greater; detail in the copending application of Nichols, Ser. No. 65,720, filed December 16, 1948. Strong and tough films and fibers of this hoinopolyamide can be obtained from such solutions. On the other hand, poly- L-leucine is insoluble: in chloroform, m-cresol, methylene chloride, phenol, tetrachloroethane, xylene, formic, monochloroacetic, and dichloroacetic acids. In contrast to the solubility of diamine-dibasic acid polyamides in formic and monochloroacetic' acids, the optically activelalphat-amino acjid' honio olyamides are insolubleiin these acids. 1 However, the j optically 7 active, straight-chain alphaeam ino acid ho polyamides are-ah Soluble 'in'the' di-' and. trifl'lioi'oand chloroac'e'tic acids. This olubility is in surprising contrast to the insol ubi'litin siichacids, e. g., dichloroacetic acid, of branched chain, optically active alpha-amino acid homopolyamides.

The term "opticall-y active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides is used herein to define those alpha-amino acid homopolyamides- -consi sting. essentially of recurring. lmits' of a single optically active; ailphaamino acid,

more particularly:cornbinedzunitszof a single? antipode' of anioptically active ailpliaI-eamiiio .acid,

said acid carrying on" its alpha-carbon in addition to the amino and carboxyl groups, one hY- glycins wherein the singleifsubstituent possesses a straight ehain, i. e., normal, carbon skeleton.

The term cold drawable" used in the specification refers to that phenomenonexhibitedby the polyamides used in thisinvention, which is described generally in the art on-highmolecular weight polymers, for example, on page 182, vol. I

of High Polymers, Interscience Publishers, Inc, 1940 and in lines 15 through 63, page 7, column 1, of U. S. Patent 2,071,250,- i. e., the special property exhibited by certain polymers in film or fiber form, when mechanical stress is gently applied atroom or slightly elevated temperatures, of not breaking apart, but separating into two non-ori- .ented 'sectio'ns'Joined bya thinner section of more highly oriented 'polymer. As the mechanical stress, i; e., pulling-is continued, this more highly oriented sect-iongrows at the expense of the unoriented sections until the latter are completely exhausted. Aremarkable feature of this phenomenon is the sharpness of the boundary at the junction between the highly oriented and v "less-oriented sections of the film or fiber being drawn. During the drawing operation, the shape of this boundary does not change. .It merely advances linearly through the :undrawn sections of the polymer until thelatterare exhausted. This operation can be carried out very rapidly and smoothly. It leads to permanently elongated,

highly and permanently oriented films and fibers of uniform cross section and of greatly improved strength, "toughness, and"elasticity, which exhibit-ahigh degree of birefringence and a parallel extinction between crossed Nicol prisms and display'a typically oriented film and fiber diagram when examined by X-ray methods in the usualway. I I The following examples in whichthe parts given are by weight are submitted to further illustrate but not tolimit this invention. As used therein, inherent viscosity ('fllnh.) is defined by the following equation:

wherein lnis the natural logarithm,

1; solution in solvent Emample I A 0.38. part sample of the homopolyamide from L-alani'ne. (prepared bypolymerizing the corresponding N-carboanhydride in refluxing benzene for a period of about six days under anhydrous conditions) is dissolved by stirring at room temperature in 1250 parts of dichloroacetic acid.

. The resulting viscous solution is poured in three portions inthin'films onto three glass plates. The plates and the thin liquid layers cast thereuponare immersed in water, alcohol, and ace- -'tone'- baths, respectively. These baths all serve as coagulating agents for the dichloroacetic acid solutionsthereby precipitating the starting L- alanine homopolyamide in thin film form. The films thus obtained, after being washed free of the solvents and dried, are clear, tough and strong. A sample of the film obtained from the alcohol coagulating bath is readily cold drawable' and necks. downv in the characteristic manner. Another sample of the homopolyamide similarly prepared from L-alanine is insoluble in formic acid, m-cresol, aqueous phenol, chloroform and glacial acetic acid and exhibits an inherent viscosity of 2.21 in dichloroacetic acid.

Example II A part sample-ofthe homop-olyamide from L-alanine (mnn.= 1.03) is dissolved in 234 parts of dichloroacetic acid at room temperature and 13 parts of water. The clear, bright, homogeneous solution thus obtained ispressure filtered and then pressure spun at the rate of 3.77 ml. per minute through a hole (0.005 inch hole diameter) stainless steel spinneret into a water coagulating bath at'50 to 60 C. The yarn travel in the coagulating bath is 104 inches and the windup of the coagulated yarn on the Godet wheel is at the rate of 19.5 feet per minute. The yarn is stretched 2.88 times in air at room temperature in being removed from the Godet wheel to a takeup'bobbin at 56 feet per minute. The

' various yarns are water washed overnight on solute in grams per 100 cc. of solution. Unless otherwise noted all inherent viscosity results are obtained with the polyamide involved dissolved in dichloroacetic acid at a concentration 050.3 gram of polymer per 100 cc. of solution at 25 C.

is defined by the following equation:

v In I rel.

with the polyamideinvolved dissolved in dichloroacetic acid at various decreasing concentra j'tions. v

Intrinsic viscosity, [0;], as used in these examples l the bobbin, taut, dried in air on the bobbin, twisted and finally boiled off in skein form. The yarn thus obtained exhibits a denier of 78, a tenacity 053.5 grams per denier (g./d.) and 6% elongation (as measured on the Incline Plane), and a modulus at 100% of 105 g./d.

Yarn similarly prepared from another sample of the'homopolyamide from L-alanine drawn 2.3

times, exhibits a denier of 133.3 and a tenacity of 2.02 grams per denier and 21% elongation. This yarn exhibits a modulus at 100% of 84 g./d., a shrinkage in waterof 0.7%, and a sticking point of over 400 C. The X-ray diffractionpattern of this yarn is highly orientedand indicates the presence of less amorphous material than patterns of DL-alanine yarns. The X- ray chain identity'period of the L.-alanine yarns is 6.98 A. V

Example III Samples of the homopolyamide from D-alanine (prepared by polymerizing the corresponding N-carboanhydride in refluxing benzene for about seven days and of ]=4.07)- are dissolved in dichloroacetic acid and the clear solutions poured in thin films onto glass plates. The films are coagulated by immersing the plates in a water coagulating bathand are removed and dried at C, in a vacuum oven to constant weight.

.These films (about 0.011- inch thick) are readilyicold drawabledirectly. Samples of these films, after being soaked in 2-13 alcohol to facilitat'e the drawing and then cold drawn to 2.0 to '2.5' times, exhibit tensile strengths of almost 19,000 lb./sq. in. and elongations of about 11% (as measured on the Instron Tensile Tester) Example IV and trichloroacetic acidalone at slightly elevated temperatures. The trichloroacetlc acid becomes molten at 50-58 C. and serves as a satisfactory solvent as long as the temperature is maintained in this range.

Example V A 1.2 part sample of the homopolyamide from L-alpha-amino-n-butyric'acid is dissolved in 15.6 parts of dichloroacetic acid and the resulting clear'viscous solution poured in a thin film onto a glass plate.- The film is coagulated by immersing the plate in a water coagulating bath. 'After being removed from the casting surface, washed free of dichloroacetic acid, and dried at, 65 C., there is obtained a tough, strong film of the homopolyamide. This film, after being soaked from 30 to 40 minutes in 2-3 alcohol, can be readily cold drawn about 2 times. X-ray examination of the drawn film indicates orientation and high crystallinity.

Emample VI Example VII A sample of the homopolyamide from L-alphaamino-n-butyric acid (prepared by polymerizing the corresponding N-carboanhydride in refluxing benzene for about six days and of nmn.=1.29) is dissolved at room temperature in an excess of trifiuoroacetic acid. The polymer is recoverable from the solution by precipitation into an excess of water.

' Example VIII A sample of the homopolyamide from L-alanine (prepared by polymerizing the corresponding N-carboanhydride in refluxing benzene for approximately twelve days under anhydrous conditions and of '7]lnh.=3.05) is dissolved by stirring at about 60 C. in an excess of trifluoroacetic acid. Thepolymer is recoverable, from solution by precipitation'into water. Upon pouring the solution in'a thin film onto a glass plate polyamides.

and allowing thetrifiuoroacetic acid to evaporate at room temperature in a hood, there is obtained a thin, slightly opaque, self-supporting film of the L-alanine homopolyamide. v

This invention'is generic to solutions-of optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides in acetic acids. of the following structure, HmXnCCOOH, wherein m is a cardinal number not greater than 1, n is an integer from 2 to 3, and the sum of m and n is 3, and X is halogen of atomic number-not greater than 18.

, The halogen-substituted acetic acids, which together with the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides constitute the solutions of this invention, are thus; chlorofluoroacetic, difiuoroacetic, trifiuoroacetic, difiuorochloroacetic, dichloroacetic, trichloroacetic, and ,dichlorofluoroacetic acids. Due to the greater ease in preparing solutions therefrom, it is preferred to use the above diand trisubstituted-fluoroor chloroaoetic acids which are liquids under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. Particularly preferred among these acidsis dichloroacetic acid, which not only is liquid under normal conditions but also exerts ,no apparent degradative effect upon the straightchain, optically active alpha-amino acid homo- For example, samples of these homopolyamides have been dissolved in clichloroacetic acid, allowed to stand for several hours, recovered by precipitation into water, and dried. The inherent viscosity of the homopolyamide finally recovered, as measured in dichloroacetic acid,is, within experimental error, identical with the inherent viscosity initially obtained in dichloroacetic acid on the original sample of the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamide.

The solutions of this invention will usually contain from 0.5 to 30.0%, preferably from 1.0 to 10.0% by weight of the homopolyamides. The solutions can be prepared at any given solids concentration in the above range in less time if the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides is finely divided and/or the resulting mixture of the homopolyamides and the dior tri-chloro: or flu'oroacetic acids of this invention is heated,.el g., from 30 to C., preferably from 30 to 50 C. Temperatures higher than 100 C. are to avoided in preparing the solu tion-compositions of this invention because the homopolyamides tend to degrade, i. e., decrease in molecular weight under such conditions.

Examples of the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acids, preferably of 3 to 14 carbons, the homopolyamides from which in solution in an acetic acid having a plurality of chlorine and/or fluorine substituents constitute the compositions of this invention, include the primary amino acids, e. g., D- and L-alanine, D- and L-al-p-haamino-n-butyric acid, D- and L-norvaline, D- and L-norleucine, D- and L alpha-aminomyristic acid, D- and L-alpha-aminolau'ric acid, D- and L-alpha-amino-n-heptanoic acid, D- and L- alpha-amino-n octanoic acid, D- and L-alphaaminocapric acid; the secondary amino acids, e. g., N-substituted, optically active, straightchain alpha-amino acids, preferably of 3 to 8 carbons in the main carbon skeleton, wherein the N-substituentiis of 1 to 6 carbons, preferably solely line; the polyfuncti'onal, optically active straight- 7 chain alpha-amino acids, 1. e., the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acids which contain, in addition to the alpha-amino and carboxyl groups, at least one other functional'group, such as, D- and L-epsilon-acetoxy-alpha-aminocaproic acid, D- and L-epsilon-hydroxy-alpha-aminocaproic acid, D- and L-methionine, D- and L- beta carbonamido alpha aminopropionic acid and the like. Homopolyamides of wholly'saturated aliphatic primary and secondary alphaamino acids which apart from amino nitrogen and carboxyl oxygen contain only carbon andv hydrogen are preferred.

Because of the more desirable properties exhibited by the films, fibers and coatings prepared therefrom, those compositions of this invention are preferred wherein the units of the optically active, straigh-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides consist of such alpha-amino acid units which, apart from the amino and carboxyl groups, are solely saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. A particularlypreferred group of such polyamides are those wherein the alpha-amino acid units are those of such primary alpha-amino acids which furthermore are,other than the amino nitrogen and carboxyl oxygens, solely hydrocarbon and of no more than six carbons and most preferably of no more than four carbons, i. e., C- mono-lower alkyl primary glycines, i. e., glycines having on the alpha carbon an alkyl group of not more than four and preferably not more than two carbons.

These optically active, straight-chain alphaamino acid homopolyamides, which in solution in the polyfluoroand/or chlorosubstituted acetic acids constitute the compositions of this invention, can be prepared from any 'of the amino.- forming derivatives of the corresponding alphaamino acid, e. g., the esters, the acids themselves, the carbon dioxide adducts of the acids, the N carboanhydrides and the like. Because of their readier preparability and high efficiency in the polyamide forming reaction, it is preferred to use the N-carboanhydrides of these alpha-amino acids.

The preparation of these N-carboanhydrides is discussed in detail in the oopending applications of MacDonald Ser. Nos. 778,458, filed October 7, 1947, 83,299, filed March 24, 1949, and Prichard Ser. No. 52,971, filed October 5, 1948. Methods for their polymerization are discussed in these oopending applications and also in the oopending applications of MacDonald Ser. Nos. 778,032 and 778,031, filed October 4, 1947. The general group of the optically active alpha-amino acid homopolyamide, including both the straight and branched chain alpha-amino acids, and their surprising strength, toughness, and other desirable properties are discussed in detail in the oopending application of MacDonald Ser. No. 108,237, filed August 2, 1949. A continuation in part of said application was filed December 28, 1950, as Serial No. 203,213.

The compositions of this invention, by reason of the desirable properties of the polyamides used, find valuable application in the manufacture of films, coatings and fibers by standard casting and wet spinning procedures well known in the art. Because of their outstanding properties the preferred compositions of this invention are those I containing from 0.5 to 30.0%, most preferably 1.0 to 10.0%, by weight of the total composition containing at least 50 combined optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid units in the polyamlde chain. The polyhalogenated acetic acid forms in general the remainder of the solution although up to 10% water is tolerated by the solution. a

Modification of the properties of these optically active, straight-chainalpha amino acid homopolyamides may be effected in the solutions of this invention. For instance, if desired, the optically active alpha-amino homopolyamide may be controllably crosslinked by reaction with formaldehyde. In the case of the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides containing functional groups other than the alpha-amino and carboxyl groups, modifications of these extra functional groups may also be carried out in the solutions of this invention. For instance, poly-D-methiomne may have any desired amount of the'extralinear methyl thioother groups converted to methylsulfonium iodide groups by reaction with methyl iodide or oxidized to methyl sulfone or sulfoxide groups by controlled oxidation.

In addition to modifying agents as disclosed in general above, plasticizers, films, pigments, dyes and the likemay be present in the solutions of this invention. However, to maintain their highdegree of utility and the excellent properties therefrom the compositions of this invention should not contain less than 0.5% of the optically active, straight-chain alpha-amino acid homopolyamides.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for-'clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization" of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially'of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded to a primary amino, -NH2, group, a hydrogen atom, and an alkyl radical of one to two carbons. i

2. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically activehomopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of the same; optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded toa primary amino, -NH2, group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight-chain alkyl radical of one to four carbons. i

3. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containtaining 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active alanine homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50,

the recurring alanine units of said homopolyamide consisting essentially of the same optically activeantipodal alanine species.

.4. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of .the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of'said polymer-consisting essentially of units of a single antipode of an optically active alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the amino group is a primary amino, NH2, group and the acid portion has a normal carbon chain.

5. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of a single antipode of an optically active alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid having hydrogen on the nitrogen and having a normal carbon chain directly attached to the carboxyl.

6. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of a single antipode of an optically active alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid having hydrogen on the nitrogen, having, directly attached to the carboxyl, a normal carbon chain, and containin apart from the amino nitrogen and carboxyl oxygen, only carbon and hydrogen.

7. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an' alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded to a primary amino, NH2, group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight chain aliphatic radical.

8. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of anoptically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded to a primary amino, --NH2, group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight chain organic'radical.

9'. A solution, in dichloroacetic acid, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded 10 to an amino group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight chain organic radical.

1-0. A solution, in an acetic acid HmXnCCO2H wherein m is a cardinal number not more than 1,

'n'is an integer from 2 to 3, m+n equals 3 and X is ahalogen of atomic number not greater than 18, containing 0.5to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopoly amide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded to an amino group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight chain organic radical.

11. A solution, in an acetic acid HmXnCCOZH wherein m is a cardinal number not more than 1, n is an integer from 2 to 3, m+n equals 3 and X is a halogen of atomic number not greater than 18, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said polymer consisting essentially of units of a single antipode of an optically active alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid having hydrogen on the nitrogen, having, directly attached to the carboxyl, a normal carbon chain, and. containing, apart from the amino nitrogen and carboxyl oxygen, only carbon and hydrogen.

12. A solution, in anacetic acid HmXnCCOZH wherein m is a cardinal number not more than 1, n is an integer from 2 to 3, m+n equals 3 and X is a halogen of atomic number not greater than 18, containing 0.5 to 30%, by weight of the total composition, of an optically active homopolyamide of degree of polymerization of at least 50, the units of said. polymer consisting essentially of units of the same optically active antipodal species of an alpha-monoaminomonocarboxylic acid wherein the carbon alpha to the carboxyl group is bonded to a primary amino, NH2, group, a hydrogen atom, and a straight chain alkyl radical of one to four carbons.

RALPH E. MIEGEL.

REFERENCES CITED Journal of the Chemical Society, pages 3009- 3013, November 1950, (recd for publication June 

1. A SOLUTION, IN DICHLOROACETIC ACID, CONTAINING 0.5 TO 30%, BY WEIGHT OF THE TOTAL COMPOSITION, OF AN OPTICALLY ACTIVE HOMOPOLYAMIDE OF DEGREE OF POLYMERIZATION OF AT LEAST 50, THE UNITS OF SAID POLYMER, CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF UNITS OF THE SAME OPTICALLY ACTIVE ANTIPODAL SPECIES OF AN ALPHA-MONOAMINOMONOCARBOXYLIC ACID WHEREIN THE CARBON ALPHA TO THE CARBOXYL GROUP IS BONDED TO A PRIMARY AMINO, -NH2, GROUP, A HYDROGEN ATOM, AND AN ALKYL RADICAL OF ONE TO TWO CARBONS. 